The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has reported heavy microbial loads at Mawarko Fast Food Limited that may be linked to the suspected food poisoning incident at the eatery weeks ago.
Following investigations into the incident, the FDA reports heavy pathogens in food samples, juice and swaps taken from the East Legon, La and Abelenkpe branches.
A press statement issued by the FDA indicates levels of sanitation and hygiene in the food preparation areas in all three facilities were poor.
“It was also established that there were poor storage practices. The temperatures of deep freezers and refrigerators were far above the acceptable ranges. The handling practices of ingredients used in cooking, cooked and ready-to-eat food items were also very poor,” part of the statement said.
The FDA assured the public it will continue to closely monitor all activities at Marwako Fast Foods Limited to ensure compliance to FDA directives and also applicable regulatory requirements and stressed catering services at the facilities remain suspended.
Read full text of the statement below:
PUBLIC NOTICE UPDATE: MARWAKO FOOD POISONING INCIDENT
The Food and Drugs Authority wishes to update the public on the ongoing investigations into the suspected food poisoning incident at the East Legon branch of Marwako Fast Food Limited.
Analyses of samples of food, some juice drinks, and swaps taken from the environment at the East Legon branch of Mawarko Fast Food Limited indicate that there was heavy microbial load (pathogens) which may be linked to the food-borne disease reported. Samples collected from the Abelenkpe and La branches were also found to be heavily contaminated.
The levels of sanitation and hygiene in the food preparation areas in all three facilities were poor.
It was also established that there were poor storage practices. The temperatures of deep freezers and refrigerators were far above the acceptable ranges. The handling practices of ingredients used in cooking, cooked and ready-to-eat food items were also very poor.
The process to establish the root cause of the contamination has been unfortunately hampered by the unapproved and unilateral decision of the management of Marwako to destroy some of the food items whilst the investigation was in progress.
The FDA has applied the appropriate regulatory sanctions and is also monitoring the implementation of the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) by the management of Marwako Fast Foods to address all the non-conformances identified to prevent any reoccurrence. GHANA
We wish to assure the public that we will continue to closely monitor all activities at Marwako Fast Foods Limited to ensure compliance to the FDA’s directives and applicable regulatory requirements. Catering services at the facilities remain suspended. The public would be updated on any subsequent developments.
Chief Executive Officer Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana